By Carson Williamson
According to information from the United States Census Bureau, Delaware saw a 1.5 percent increase in population. This comes after the four percent increase in population between 2020 and 2023. According to studies performed by Construction Coverage utilizing data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the past decade, there has been a growth of 14.4 percent in total housing units in Delaware, with 8.5 percent of those units located in New Castle County alone.
With this continual growth in the First State, various professional positions have struggled to keep up with the demand, including doctors, law enforcement, and the topic of this series; teachers and available capacity in schools. After reaching out to several school districts, reports on overpopulation in schools, teacher turnover rates, and the need for referendums were gathered, and over the course of several articles, a closer look at the current wellbeing of the school districts in Sussex County and how they deal with various problems regarding capacity issues, unit count funding, and the strategies to attempt passing referendums will be presented. The school districts looked at will be Woodbridge, Seaford, Delmar, Cape Henlopen, and Indian River; each with their own particular situation (Laurel did not answer our request for information).
Woodbridge currently serves approximately 2,600 students, which is reaching the combined maximum capacity of their four buildings. This year, 41 new hires were welcomed to the district; however, only 10 of these were newly created positions, while the remaining 31 replaced existing roles. Over the past few years, their staff turnover rate has remained relatively low, averaging around nine percent. According to Title 14 of the Delaware Code, the student unit count is the main base of funding for schools in Delaware. Units are made up of a specific number of students based on grade and special education status. State funding is allocated to districts divided into the following categories: Division I (Salaries and Benefits), Division II (Energy and All Other Costs), and Division III (Equalization).
Despite being at the maximum capacity, concerns are less about the number of students as much as what their needs are, and how student unit counts fail to reflect their needs. “While our district is not experiencing rapid enrollment growth, we are seeing a notable rise in the complexity of student needs. The unit count system remains a critical funding mechanism; however, it does not always fully reflect the growing demand for specialized academic, behavioral, and emotional supports,” Woodbridge Superintendent Kevin Long stated. “As the scope of services we provide expands, we are finding that the current funding model can lag behind actual needs. That said, we continue to allocate resources strategically, maximize efficiency, and advocate for funding solutions that consider both the number of students and the intensity of services they require to succeed.”
Long also stated that while the student population is growing at a measured pace, the true challenge lies in meeting the increasingly diverse and complex needs of Woodbridge students. “(Its) led our leadership team to approach decision making through a broader lens, prioritizing student well-being, support services, and programs that address academic, emotional, and behavioral growth,” Long explained. “We’ve seen a rise in the need for specialized staff, individualized interventions, and broader wraparound services. These shifts demand intentional planning and responsiveness to ensure every student receives the resources they need to succeed.”
As far as the buildings in the district are concerned, Woodbridge is working to maximize the effectiveness of the current infrastructure while also planning proactively for the future. “Internally, we’ve strengthened professional development, expanded social-emotional and behavioral supports, and refined how we use our spaces and staff to meet evolving needs,” Long said. “In addition, we have submitted a Certificate of Necessity for the construction of a new Woodbridge Middle School. While the building is currently at capacity, the primary driver for this request is the aging infrastructure of the existing campus. This step reflects our commitment to providing a safe, modern, and future ready learning environment for our students.”
Long continued by stating that the Certificate of Necessity submitted to the state is a foundational step toward that goal. If a future referendum is approved, it will allow the district to move forward with this critical project, ensuring that middle school students have access to a modern, safe, and functional facility. When asked about their last referendum, Long spoke on the community support they received. “We’re fortunate that our last referendum, held six years ago, was successful demonstrating strong community support and trust in the district’s vision and transparency,” Long explained. “This success affirmed that when we clearly communicate the ‘why; behind the request, our residents respond positively. Moving forward, we remain committed to honest, proactive communication that connects the needs of our schools to the broader benefits for the community.
One of the problems that referendums have faced in Delaware over the last several years has been the increase in retirees and those who have no connection to the school districts, or those who see referendums as a tax increase that they’re able to vote against. For Woodbridge, Long stated that they’re proud to be part of a welcoming and growing community that includes long-time residents, retirees, and new families from across the country.
“While some new residents may not have a direct connection to our schools, we focus on demonstrating the shared value of a strong public education system,” Long stated. “High quality schools elevate property values, attract businesses, and help build a stronger, more connected community. Our approach is to foster understanding, communicate respectfully, and engage all residents in the vision of education as a community wide investment.”
The students of today are professionals of tomorrow. Without the proper resources provided to the students by the school, and to the school by the state, the quality of service workers, law enforcement, medical professionals, and trade jobs will only suffer. In the next part of this series, we’ll be looking at the Delmar School District, which operates currently at 125 percent of its maximum capacity.
Editor’s note: This is the first of a five part series on Sussex County School Districts and how they are dealing with building overcapacity and other issues.
